Mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse in a refuse collection apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a refuse collection apparatus having a refuse storage body and a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of the storage body, a mechanism for transferring refuse deposited in the hopper, into and compacting the refuse in, the storage body generally comprising a carrier assembly disposed in the hopper and movable rectilinearly and longitudinally therein, a panel assembly pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof to the rearward end of the carrier assembly, means for moving the carrier assembly along the line of travel thereof in predetermined sequence, and means for pivoting the panel assembly relative to the carrier assembly in a predetermined sequence in cooperation with the carrier assembly to provide a refuse transferring and compacting cycle, the panel assembly including a bottom plate member having a first planar section disposable in alignment with a bottom plate member of the carrier assembly, and a second planar section disposed at an angle to the first planar section, and a plurality of transversely spaced channel-shaped members rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member to provide resistance against bending stresses.

Dennis MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING AND COMPACTING REFUSE IN A REFUSE COLLECTION APPARATUS [75] Inventor: James Dennis, Culpepper, Va,

[73] Assignee: City Tank Corporation, Culpepper,

[22] Filed: Mar. 3, 1972 211 App]. No.: 231,700

[52] US. Cl. 214/833 [51] Int. Cl B65f 3/00 [58] Field of Search 214/833, 503

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.615.028 2/1969 Appleman r a1. 214/833 3,615,029 3/1969 Anderson 214/833 3,662,908 5/1972 Boda 214/833 3,143,230 8/1964 .Gollnick 214/833 X Primary Examine r-Albert J. Makay ABSTRACT In a refuse collection apparatus having a refuse stor- [451 Mar. 19, 1974 age body and a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of the storage body, a mechanism for transferring refuse deposited in the hopper, into and compacting the refuse in, the storage body generally comprising a carrier assembly disposed in the hopper and movable rectilinearly and longitudinally therein, a

panel assembly pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof to the rearward end of the carrier assembly, means for moving the carrier assembly along the line of travel thereof in predetermined sequence, and

section disposed at an angle to the first planar section,

' and a'plurality of transversely spaced channel-shaped members rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member to provide resistance against bending stresses.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures I I 33 24 I l 1 Que 23 fit; n9 4 g 9 4s 21 l I, v I, 45 450. I/

MECHANISM FOR TRANSFERRING AND C-OMPACTING REFUSE IN A REFUSE COLLECTION APPARATUS This invention relates to a refuse collection apparatus and more particularly to a novel mechanism suitable for use in a refuse hopper mounted on a refuse storage body for crushing refuse charged into the hopper, transferring such refuse to the storage body and compacting the refuse within the storage body.

In the prior art, there has been developed a refuse collection apparatus which generally includes a refuse storage body mountable on a truck chassis, a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of the storage body and a mechanism disposed within the receiving hopper for transferring refuse from the hopper to the storage body and compacting the refuse therein. Such mechanism usually includes a packer panel which is adapted to pivot and sweep the refuse forwardly from the hopper into the storage body. Generally, the refuse charged into the hopper and. transferred into the storage body is resilient in nature thus requiring compaction to attain maximum load capacity of the storage unit. In this regard, the packer panel functions not only to sweep refuse into the storage body but also to compact it.

With the advent of the desirability of larger capacity units for the collection of refuse and the necessity of accommodating heterogeneous refuse ranging from highly resilient articles such as foodstuffs, food and other commodity containers, and the like, to large bulky and rigid articles such as furniture, household appliances, building materials and the like, it has been found that conventional refuse transferring and compacting mechanisms have not been entirely satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved refuse transferring and compacting mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus for transferring and; compacting refuse. g

A furtherobject of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus including a storage body and a receiving hopper mounted on the rear end thereof and in communication therewith, operable to transfer refuse from the hopper into the storage body and to compact such refuse in the storage body.

A still further object of the presentinvention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus, operable to transfer and compact refuse of a heterogeneous nature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus, operable to receive refuse of a heterogeneous nature, crush large bulky articles included in the refuse, transfer such refuse to a storage area, and compact the refuse to provide a maximum load capacity.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus including a refuse storage body and a refuse receiving hopper mounted on the rear end of such storage body, operable to receive refuse of a heterogeneous nature in the receiving hopper,

crush large bulky articles such as furniture, household appliances and thelike contained in the refuse charged into the receiving hopper, transfer such refuse from the receiving hopper intothe storage body, and compact the refuse in the storage body to provide maximum density of the compacted refuse in the storage body.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism suitable for use in a refuse collection apparatus for transferring and compacting refuse charged into the apparatus, having an improved strength weight ratio.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism suitable for use in a refuse collection apparatus provided with a refuse storage body and a refuse receiving hopper, operable to transfer refuse from the receiving hopper into the storage unit, which is adapted for use in large capacity receiving hoppers. I

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism adapted for use in a refuse collection apparatus for transferring and compacting refuse which is comparatively simple in construction, effective in performance and readily adapted for servicing.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism suitable for use in a refuse collection apparatus for transferring and compacting refuse, which can be assembled from prefabricated subassemblies thus facilitating production thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mechanism suitable for use in a refuse collection apparatus for transferring and compacting refuse which can be readily disassembled for the replacement of components and other purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill inthe art to which the invention pertains, from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a vehicle having mounted thereon a refuse collection apparatus includ ing an embodiment of the present invention, having a portion thereof broken away;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention adapted to be mounted in the refuse collection apparatus'illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, illustrating various sequential positions of the panel assembly thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a partial, enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refuse receivinghopper shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the sequential positions of the mechanism for transferring refuse from the receiving hopper into the storage body and compacting the refuse in the storage body, during a normal operating cycle;

H6. is a schematic diagramatic view of the hydraulic control system for the transferring and compacting mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a truck chassis on which there is rigidly mounted a refuse collection apparatus 21. The refuse collection apparatus consists of a refuse storage body 22 rigidly mounted on the truck chassis 20, a refuse receiving hopper 23 mounted on the rear end of the storage body 22, a transferring and compacting mechanism 24 mounted within the refuse receiving hopper 23, and a hydraulic control system 25 disposed within the storage body and receiving hopper, which may be operated to cycle the mechanism 24 to transfer refuse from the charging hopper into the storage body and compact the refuse in the storage body, actuate certain mechanisms to pivot the receiving hopper 23 upwardly to an elevated position to permit ejection of compacted refuse disposed in the storage body, and actuate an ejector panel disposed in the storage body to discharge refuse therefrom at a refuse dump site or a municipal incinerator plant when the hopper is raised to the elevated position.

The refuse storage body 22 consists of a bottom wall 26 rigidly secured to the truck chassis 20, a pair of side walls 27 and a top wall 28, defining a rearwardly disposed opening, and a front wall (not shown). Disposed within the body 22 and movable longitudinally along the length thereof is a transversely disposed ejector panel against which refuse transferred into the storage body is compacted, and which may be moved rearwardly to eject refuse compacted in the storage unit.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, the refuse receiving hopper 23 consists of a pair of side walls 29,29 pivotally connected at their upper forward ends to the upper rearward end of the storage body 22, bottom wall sections 30 and 31, and top wall sections 32 and 33, defining a forwardly disposed opening 34 communicating with the interior of the storage body 22 and a rearwardly disposed opening 35 through which refuse may be charged into the interior of the receiving hopper. As best illustrated in FIG. 9, the interior of the hopper is provided with a transversely disposed, rearwardly and downwardly projecting deflector 36 having an upper surface 37 disposed parallel with the downwardly and rearwardly-disposed longitudinal centerline of the hopper, which provides a restricted passageway 38 intercommunicating the lower portion of the hopper interior with the interior of the storage body.

Provided in the side walls 29,29 of the hopper, along the longitudinal centerline thereof, is a pair of elongated openings 39,39 which function as a pair of transversely spaced tracks for guiding the mechanism 24 along the length of the hopper as later will be described in detail. As best shown in FIG. 9, the bottom wall sections 30 and 31 are provided with an interior planar surface 40 disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the hopper and intersects substantially as a secant, an interior curved surface 41 having an axis of curvature disposed within the plane including the longitudinal centerline of the hopper. Refuse may be charged through the rear opening 35 and deposited on the surfaces 40 and 41 either by manually lifting and dumping refuse containers into the hopper or utilizing a power-operated system to tilt larger refuse containers utilizing a pair of pivot brackets 42,42 mounted on the rear end of the hopper adjacent the side walls 29,29.

The mechanism 24 generally consists of a carriage assembly 43 slideable along the downwardly and rearwardly disposed longitudinal centerline of the receiving hopper, a pair of fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies 44 and 45 interconnecting the carriage assembly 43 and the side walls 29,29 of the refuse hopper for moving the carriage assembly rectilinearly along the longitudinal centerline of the receiving hopper, a panel assembly 46 pivotally connected at its forward end to the rear end of the carriage assembly 43 and a pair of fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies 47 and 48 for pivoting the panel assembly 46 relative to the carriage assembly 43. As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 through 6, the carriage assembly 43 is provided with a rectangular-shaped bottom plate member 49 disposable above and movable along the upper planar surface 37 of the deflector 36, a transversely disposed forward end panel 50, a pair of transversely spaced, inverted channel-shaped members 51 and 52 disposed along the sides of the bottom plate member 49, and a transversely disposed, inverted channel-shaped member 53 extending along the rear edge of the bottom plate member 49, between the channel-shaped members 51 and 52. The channel-shaped member 51 is provided with a pair of longitudinally disposed side wall sections, 510 and 51b having a pair of transversely aligned openings at the rearward ends thereof for receiving therein a sleeve 54 in which there is provided a stub shaft 55, and a web section 51c interconnecting the upper ends of side wall sections 51a and 51b. Similarly, the channelshaped member 52 consists of longitudinally disposed, side wall sections 52a and 52!) having transversely aligned openings at the rear ends thereof for receiving therein a sleeve 56 in which there is mounted a stub shaft 57 disposed coaxially with the stub shaft 55, and a web section 520 interconnecting the upper ends of the side wall sections 52a and 52b.

The transversely disposed channel-shaped member 53 is rigidly connected at its transverse ends to the side wall sections 51b and 52b and includes forwardly and rearwardly disposed side wall sections 53a and 53b having the lower edges thereof rigidly secured to the upper surface of bottom plate member 49, interconnected by a web section 53c. Spaced laterally inwardly from the side walls 51!) and 52b are longitudinally disposed mounting plate members 58 and 59 having the lower edges thereof rigidly secured to the bottom plate member 49 and the channel-shaped member 53, and the rearward ends thereof provided with aligned openings in which there are mounted sleeve members 58a and 59a. The inner ends of the stub shafts 55 and 57 are received in the sleeve members 58a and 59a and are connected to brackets 60 and 61 rigidly secured to the rearwardly disposed side wall section 53b of channelshaped member 53.

The outer ends of the stub shafts 55 and 57 extend laterally outwardly into the longitudinally disposed tracks 39,39 in side walls 29,29 of the refuse hopper and are provided with rollers 55a and 57a which are adapted to rotate freely on the ends of the stub shafts and ride along the lower surfaces of the tracks to support the rear portion of the carrier assembly and the panel assembly. The forward end of the carriage assembly is supported on a pair of rollers 62 and 63 rotatably mounted on stub shafts 62a and 63a provided in brack ets 64 and 65 rigidly secured to the outer sides of side wall sections 51a and 52a and projecting laterally through the longitudinal openings 39,39 in the side walls of the receiving hopper. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the forwardly disposed rollers 62 and 63 are aligned longitudinally with the rearwardly disposed rollers 55a and 57a and are adapted to ride along the bottom surfaces of the tracks. The carriage assembly 43 further is provided with a pair of longitudinally disposed reinforcing members 66 and 67 having the bottom edges thereof rigidly secured to the upper surface of the bottom plate member 49 and the forwardly and rearwardly disposed edges thereof rigidly interconnecting the front end plate member 50 and the forwardly disposed wall section 53a of channel-shaped member 53. In addition, the channel-shaped members 51 and 52 are provided with wear blocks 68 and 69 which are adapted to engage the inner sides of the hopper side walls.

- The piston andcylinder assemblies 44 and 45 are disposed on the exterior sides of thehopper side walls 29,29, within the same plane of movement of the carriage assembly so as to provide a maximum component of force in the direction of movement of the carriage assembly.'The assembly44 includes a fluid cylinder 44a secured at its lower rearward end to a bracket provided on the hopper side wall, and a piston 44b operatively connected at the free end thereof to the bracket 64, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. Similarly, the assembly 45 includes a fluid cylinder 45a connected at its lower rearward end to a bracket provided on the 4 hopper side wall, and a piston 45b operatively connected at its free end to the bracket 65. It will be noted that when fluid under pressure is supplied to the forwardor rearward ends of the assemblies and 45 the pistons or rams 44b and 45b will be extended or retracted to move the carriage assembly rectilinearly along the longitudinal centerline of the receiving hopper. It particularly is to be noted that the axes of the assemblies 44 and 45 lie in the plane of movement of the carriage assembly so that whenever the pistons or rams 44b and 45b are extended or retracted to move the carriage assembly, the maximum component of force provided by the rams will be directed along the line of movement of the carriage assembly.

The panel assembly 46 is best illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 4 and includes a bottom plate member 70 a transversely disposed channel-shaped member 71, a pair of longitudinally disposed push arm members 73 and 74 disposed inwardly relative to the connecting members 71 and 72, and reinforcing members 75, 76 and 77 spaced between the push arm members 73 and 74. The bottom plate member 70 includes a forwardly disposed, substantially rectangular planar section 79 having the forwardly disposed edge thereof disposed adjacent the rearwardly disposed edge of the bottom plate member 49 of the carriage assembly, and a rearwardly disposed substantially rectangular planar section 80 disposed at an angle to the planar section '79 and intersecting therewith along a junction 81. The rearwardly disposed, transverse edge of the bottom plate member 70 is disposed substantially parallel to the forwardly disposed transverse edge thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The bottom surface of the planar section 80 is provided with a wear strip 81 .and the opposite side thereof is provided with a reinforcing angle bar 82 to provide a rigid edge for the panel assembly.

The transversely disposed channel-shaped member 71 functions to impart rigidity to the planar section 79 of the bottom plate member .70 and includes a forwardly disposed side wall section 71a having the lower edge thereof rigidly secured to the planar section 79 adjacent the forwardly disposed transverse edge thereof, a rearwardly disposed side wall section 71b having the lower edge thereof secured to the planar section 79 adjacent the junction 81 between the sections 79 and 80, and an interconnecting web section 710. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the ends of the channel-shaped member 71 are rigidly secured to the inner ends of the push arm members 74 and 75.

Each of the members 72 through 78 is of a channelshaped or box type configuration and is connected to the upper sides'of the planar sections 79 and 80, bridging the junction 81 thereof. The members function to resist stresses in bending developed within the panel assembly whenever it is pivoted downwardly relative to the carriage assembly to crush bulky and rigid articles deposited in the receiving hopper, or carried forwardly in the downward position to compact refuse in the storage body.

The connecting member 72 is substantially similar to the connecting member 73 and includes a pair of transversely spaced wall sections 72a and 72b having the bottom edges rigidly secured to the upper side of the planar sections 79 and 80, and the rear end portions thereof straddling the rear end portions of side wall sections 51a and 51b and provided with transversely aligned openings for receiving the pivot shaft therethrough to pivotally connect the panel assembly to the carriage assembly, a web section 720 interconnecting the rearward portion of side walls 72a and 72b and disposed at an angle relative to the planar section 80, and a web section 7211 interconnecting the forwardly disposed portions of side wall sections 72a and 72b and disposed substantially parallel to the planar section 79. As previously mentioned, the connecting member 73 is similar in construction to the connecting member 72 and is provided with side wall sections 73a and 73b having forwardly disposed portions straddling the rearwardly disposed ends of wall sections 52a and 52b and provided with openings for receiving the pivot shaft 57 therethrough to pivotally connect the panel assembly to the carrier assembly on the opposite end of the mechanism. 7 g

The push arm member 74 is substantially similar to the push arm member 75 and includes a pair of transversely spaced side wall sections 74a and 74b having the bottom edges thereof rigidly secured to the planar sections 79 and 80 and the forwardly disposed portions thereof provided with transversely aligned openings for receiving the pivot shaft 55 therebetween, a forwardly disposed web section 740 interconnecting the side wall I sections 74a and 74b and lying at an angle to the planar section 80, a web section 74d interconnecting the side wall sections 740 and 74b, and a pair of bracket portions 74:: and 74f which substantially form continuations of side wall sections 74a and 74b. Similarly, the forwardly disposed portions of side wall sections a and 75b are provided with transversely. aligned openings for receiving the pivot shaft 57 therethrough, and a pair of bracket portions 75e and 75f. The bracket portions 74e, 74f, 75e and 75f are provided with transversely aligned openings in which pivot pins 74h and 75h are mounted.

As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the interior of push arm member 74 is provided with a reinforcing section 74; interconnecting the side wall sections and extending from the junction 81 to the junction of the web sections 74c and 74d, a reinforcing sections 74j disposed between the side wall sections and extending from the junction 81 to the forwardly disposed end of web section 74d and a reinforcing section 74k interconnecting the side wall sections and the reinforcing section 74] and disposed substantially parallel to the planar section 79.

The reinforcing member 76 is substantially similar in construction and function to members 77 and 78 and consists of a pair of side wall sections 76a and 76b having the bottom edges thereof rigidly secured to the upper sides of planar sections 79 and 80 and the rearwardly disposed side wall section 71b ofchannelshaped member 71, a web section 760 interconnecting the rearwardly disposed portions of side wall sections 76a and 76b and lying at an angle relative to the planar section 80, a web section 76d interconnecting the forwardly disposed portions of side wall sections 76a and 76b and the rear wall section 71b and disposed substantially parallel to the planar section 79, and a reinforcing section 76e interconnecting the side wall sections 76a and 76b and extending from the junction 81 to the junction of the web sections 760 and 76d, as best shown in FIG. 6. It will be noted that each of the channelshaped or box type members 72 through 78 provide knee-type constructions with side wall sections disposed substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate member which function to resist stress in bending when the panel assembly 46 either is pivoted downwardly or is disposed in the position as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the carrier assembly is moved forwardly to transfer refuse into the storage body and compact the refuse therein.

The piston and cylinder assembly 47 includes a fluid cylinder 47a pivotally connected at its forward end to a transversely disposed shaft 83 mounted in the wall sections 51b and 58, and a piston or ram 47b pivotally connected at the rearwardly disposed free end thereof to the shaft 74h. Similarly, the piston and cylinder assembly 48 includes a fluid cylinder 48a pivotally connected at the forwardly disposed end thereof to a shaft 84 mounted on the wall sections 52b and 59 and a piston or ram 48b pivotally connected at the rearwardly disposed free end thereof to the shaft 75h. It will be appreciated that upon supplying fluid under pressure to the front or rear ends of the cylinders 47a and 48a, the pistons or rams 47b and 48b will be extended or retracted to pivot the panel assembly 46 relative to the carrier assembly 43. i

The control system illustrated in FIG. is operable to actuate the carrier cylinder and piston assemblies 44 and 45 and the panel cylinder and piston assemblies 47 and 48 to cycle the transferring and compacting mechanism 24 within the receiving hopper, to lift the receiving hopper for ejecting refuse compacted in the storage body, and ejecting the refuse from the storage body. The system includes a fluid reservoir 85 provided with a filter 86, a pump 87, a selector valve 88, a cylinder control valve 89, a pilot valve 90, a sequence valve 91, and interconnecting fluid lines which will be described in connection with the operation of the system. The selector valve 88 and cylinder control valve 89 are spooltype valves which can be shifted axially to divert fluid under pressure to various components of the system as will be described. The pilot valve 90 generally is a pressure sensitive type of valve which is operable to shift the spools of the cylinder control valve 89 also as will be described.

in the operation of the control system to cycle the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism 24, when the carriage and panel assemblies are in the position as illustrated in FIG. 9, the pump 87 is operating and the spools S,, S and S of cylinder control valve 89 are pushed inwardly to begin the cycle, the pump 87 supplies fluid under pressure through line 92, selector valve 88 and line 93 to the cylinder control valve 89, from where the fluid flows simultaneously from a port 94 and through fluid lines 95 and 96 to the lower ends of cylinders 47a and 48a, and from a port 97 and through a fluid line 98 to the sequence valve 91. Under such conditions, the sequence valve 91 will permit a predetermined small amount of fluid to flow through fluid line 99, 100 and 101 to the upper ends of cylinders 44a and 45a to cause the rods 44b and 45b to begin to retract thus causing the carriage assembly 46 to begin drifting downwardly from position A to position B, and the piston rods 47b and 48b to retract thus causing the panel assembly to pivot upwardly from the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 9 to the position designated by reference numeral 102. As soon as the piston rods 47b and 48b are fully retracted, the fluid pressure in line 98 will increase to a predetermined amount sufficient to open the sequence valve 91 fully thus allowing fluid under increased pressure to continue to retract the piston rods 44!) and 45b. The retraction of piston rods 44b and 45b will operate to move the carriage assembly downwardly and position the panel assembly in a position designated by reference numeral 103 in FIG. 9.

When the piston rods 44b and 45b become fully retracted, the pressure in fluid line 100 will increase to a predetermined amount sufficient to actuate a cartridge P in the pilot valve 90 which functions to supply fluid under pressure through a fluid line 104 to shift the spool S outwardly thus stopping the flow of fluid to the lower ends of the cylinders 47a and 48a, and providing a supply fluid under pressure from valve port 94a, through fluid lines 105 and 106 to the upper ends of cylinders 47a and 48a to extend the piston rods 47b and 48b and pivot the panel assembly downwardly from the position designated by reference numeral 103 to the position designated by reference numeral 107 in FIG. 9. When the piston rods 47b and 48b are fully extended so that the panel assembly is in the position 107, pressure increases in fluid line 105 and line 108 intercon: necting line 105 and pilot valve 90, to a sufficient predetermined amount to actuate the cartridge P 2 of the pilot valve and thus cause fluid under pressure to flow through fluid line 109 and shift the spool S outwardly.

The shifting of spool S outwardly will stop the flow of fluid through valve port 97 and cause fluid under pressure to be applied through valve port 97a and fluid lines 108 and 109 to the lower ends of cylinders 44a and 45a to extend piston rods 44b and 45b. The extension of piston rods 44b and 45b will have the effect of causing the carriage assembly to be moved upwardly to its uppermost position thus moving the panel assembly from the position 107 to its original starting position designated by the reference numeral 110 in FIG. 9. As soon as the piston rods 44b and 45b reach their maximum extended positions, the pressure in fluid line 108 will increase to a predetermined amount and will be transferred through fluid line 111 to cause a cartridge P in pilot valve 90 to actuate and thus cause fluid under pressure to flow through fluid line 112 to cause the spool S to be shifted outwardly thus completing the 1 cycle. Fluid may be drained from the system by means of a fluid line 113 interconnecting the sequence valve 91'and the fluid reservoir 85, a fluid line 114 interconnecting the chambers of the spools S, and S of the cylinder control valve, and the fluid reservoir 85, and a fluid line 115 interconnecting the chamber of the spool S of the cylinder 'control valve 89 and drain line 114. Fluid from the reservoir 85 is supplied through the filter 86 and the fluid line 116 connected to the inlet side of the pump 87.

In a typical refuse loading operation, refuse is charged into the hopper opening 35 and deposited on the bottom surfaces 40 and 41 of the hopper interior. When a sufficient amount of refuse has been deposited in the hopper, a control lever on the exterior of the receiving hopper is actuated to move the spools S S and S of the cylinder control valve 89 inwardly and begin the cycling operation of the mechanism 24. Initially, the carriage assembly will be caused to drift downwardly as the panel assembly is pivoted upwardly from the position designated by the numeral 110 to the position designated by the numeral 102. The carriage then moves downwardly to position the panel assembly above the refuse in the hopper, in the position designated by the reference numeral 103, and then the panel assembly is pivoted downwardly to engage. the refuse in the hopper and crush any large bulky articles contained in the refuse. When the panel assembly reaches the position designated by numeral 107, the panel assembly remains locked in position relative to the carriage assembly and the carriage assembly moves upwardly to correspondingly move the panel assembly from the position designated by the numeral 107 to its original position designated by the reference numeral 110. As the panel assembly moves from the position 107 to 110 the crushed surface is transferred from the receiving hopper through the restrictive opening 38 into the interior of the storage body where it is compacted against the ejector panel. The procedure as described is repeated until the storage body is filled with compacted refuse. It will be noted that as the'panel assembly makes a sweeping movement through positions 103, 107 and 110 and engages large bulky articles such as furniture and household appliances, or engages resistance during the compacting phase of the cycle, the bottom plate member of the panel assembly is subjected to bending stresses about the pivotal connection thereof with the carriage assembly which effectively are resisted by the novel construction of the entire panel assembly including the construction of the components 72 through 78. In addition to the maximum strength provided by the panel construction, the construction further permits the use of a lighter gauge metal thus providing an increased strength-weight ratio for the panel assembly.

Whenever the storage body of the apparatus is fully loaded, the refuse within the body may be retained in the compacted position by the panel assembly while the vehicle is driven to a refuse dump site or a municipal incinerator plant where the refuse may be unloaded. The unloading of the refuse merely involves operating the pump 87 and actuating a second control lever on the exterior of the receiving hopper to move the spool S of selector valve 88 inwardly. Such action causes fluid under pressure to flow through fluid line 92, selector valve 88 and fluid lines 116 and 117 to the ends of cylinders 118 and 119 to extend the piston rods 118a and 119:: thereof/The piston and cylinder assemblies 118 and 118a, and 119 and 119a are mounted on the opposite sides of the apparatus and interconnect the refuse hopper and the refuse storage body so that when the piston rods 118a and 119a are extended it will cause the receiving hopper with the mechanism 24 mounted therein to be pivoted upwardly to an elevated position thus exposing the rear opening of the storage body. The refuse in the storage body then may be ejected by actuating a third control lever to move the spool S of selector valve 88 inwardly, thus causing fluid under pressure to be supplied through fluid line 92, selector valve 88 and fluid line 120 to the rear end of a cylinder 121 disposed within the storage body. The

' supply of fluid under pressure to the front end of the cylinder 121 causes a telescopic piston rod 122 opera-. 'tively connected to the ejector panel in the storage body, to extend thus causing the ejector panel to move rearwardly to eject the refuse from the storage body.

As soon as the ejector panel has reached the limit of its travel, the third control lever again is operated to move spool S of selector valve '88 outwardly thus supplying fluid under pressure to the front end of cylinder 121 to retract the telescopic piston rod 122 and move the ejector panel forwardly in the storage body. The second control lever also is actuated to move spool S outwardly thus permitting the fluid in the cylinders 118 and 119 to drain and the piston rods 118a and 119a to retract and permit the refuse hopper to pivot downwardly into its normal operating position on the rearward end of the storage body. The refuse hopper is then locked to the storage body and the apparatus is in condition to resume its refuse collection routine as previously described.

It is preferred that the refuse transferring and compacting mechanism be constructed of a suitable grade steel and be of a welded construction. In this regard, it will be appreciated that many of the components of the mechanism can be prefabricated in sub-assembly form and assembled together to provide the completed assembly thus facilitating the production thereof.

From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those persons skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the appendent claims.

I claim:

1. In a refuse collection apparatus having a refuse storage body provided with a rear opening and a refuse receiving hopper mounted on said storage body provided with a forwardly disposed opening communicating with the rear opening of said storage body, a pair of side walls, a bottom wall and a rearwardly disposed opening through which refuse may be charged into said receiving hopper, a mechanism for transferring refuse charged into said hopper into, and compacting said refuse in, said storage body comprising a carrier assembly disposed in said hopper and movable rectilinearly and longitudinally therein between said forwardly and rearwardly disposed openings, a panel assembly disposed in said hopper and pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof to the rearward end of said carrier assembly,

means for moving said carrier assembly along the line of travel thereof in predetermined sequence, and means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly in predetermined sequence in cooperation with said carrier assembly to provide a refuse transferring and compacting cycle, said hopper side walls having tracks disposed in the plane of movement of said carrier assembly, said pivotal connection between said carrier and panel assemblies comprising a pair of transversely spaced stub shafts having rollers thereon which ride along said tracks, said carrier assembly having a second set of rollers disposed forwardly of said first-mentioned set of rollers which also ride along said tracks to guide said carrier assembly along its plane of movement, said panel assembly including a single, bent bottom plate member having a first planar section disposable in alignment with a bottom plate member of said carrier assembly, and a second planar section disposed at an angle to said first planar section, and a plurality of transversely spaced channel-shaped members rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member, each of said channelshaped members having a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed wall portions extending across the junction of and secured to both of the first and second planar sections of said bottom plate member, said wall portions being disposed substantially perpendicular to said bottom plate member.

2. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said carrier assembly along its line of travel and said means for pivoting said panel assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies.

3. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 2 wherein said means for moving said carrier assembly along its line of travel comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies operatively interconnecting the side walls of said hopper and said carrier assembly, having the longitudinal axes thereof lying in the plane of movement of said carrier assembly, and said means for pivoting said panel assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies operatively interconnecting said carrier and panel assemblies.

4. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a pair of said channel-shaped members is provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said carrier and panel assemblies.

5. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the bottom plate member thereof, and provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly.

6. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the bottom plate member thereof, and provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed, and wherein a pair of channel-shaped members of said panel assembly are provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly.

7. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly include means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.

8. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a first pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly are provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly, and a second pair of said channel-shaped members include means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.

9. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 8 wherein said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies.

10. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1, wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member and provided with transversely aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed, and wherein a first pair of said channelshaped members of said panel assembly is provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly, and a second pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly includes means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.

1 l. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 including a transversely disposed channel-shaped member having the bottom edges of the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the first planar section of said bottom plate member of the panel assembly. 

1. In a refuse collection apparatus having a refuse storage body provided with a rear opening and a refuse receiving hopper mounted on said storage body provided with a forwardly disposed opening communicating with the rear opening of said storage body, a pair of side walls, a bottom wall and a rearwardly disposed opening through which refuse may be charged into said receiving hopper, a mechanism for transferring refuse charged into said hopper into, and compacting said refuse in, said storage body comprising a carrier assembly disposed in said hopper and movable rectilinearly and longitudinally therein between said forwardly and rearwardly disposed openings, a panel assembly disposed in said hopper and pivotally mounted at the forward end thereof to the rearward end of said carrier assembly, means for moving said carrier assembly along the line of travel thereof in predetermined sequence, and means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly in predetermined sequence in cooperation with said carrier assembly to provide a refuse transferring and compacting cycle, said hopper side walls having tracks disposed in the plane of movement of said carrier assembly, said pivotal connection between said carrier and panel assemblies comprising a pair of transversely spaced stub shafts having rollers thereon which ride along said tracks, said carrier assembly having a second set of rollers disposed forwardly of said first-mentioned set of rollers which also ride along said tracks to guide said carrier assembly along its plane of movement, said panel assembly including a single, bent bottom plate member having a first planar section disposable in alignment with a bottom plate member of said carrier assembly, and a second planar section disposed at an angle to said first planar section, and a plurality of transversely spaced channelshaped members rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member, each of said channel-shaped members having a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed wall portions extending across the junction of and secured to both of the first and second planar sections of said bottom plate member, said wall portions being disposed substantially perpendicular to said bottom plate member.
 2. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said means for moving said carrier assembly along its line of travel and said means for pivoting said panel assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies.
 3. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 2 wherein said means for moving said carrier assembly along its line of travel comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies operatively interconnecting the side walls of said hopper and said carrier assembly, having the longitudinal axes thereof lying in the plane of movement of said carrier assembly, and said means for pivoting said panel assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies operatively interconnecting said carrier and panel assemblies.
 4. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a pair of said channel-shaped members is provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said carrier and panel assemblies.
 5. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the bottom plate member thereof, and provided with aligned openings through which sAid stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly.
 6. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the bottom plate member thereof, and provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed, and wherein a pair of channel-shaped members of said panel assembly are provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly.
 7. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly include means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.
 8. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 wherein a first pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly are provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly, and a second pair of said channel-shaped members include means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.
 9. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 8 wherein said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly comprise fluid actuated piston and cylinder assemblies.
 10. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1, wherein said carrier assembly includes a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally disposed channel-shaped members having the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of said bottom plate member and provided with transversely aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed, and wherein a first pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly is provided with aligned openings through which said stub shafts are disposed for pivotally connecting said panel assembly to said carrier assembly, and a second pair of said channel-shaped members of said panel assembly includes means for operatively connecting said means for pivoting said panel assembly relative to said carrier assembly.
 11. A mechanism for transferring and compacting refuse according to claim 1 including a transversely disposed channel-shaped member having the bottom edges of the side walls thereof rigidly secured to the upper side of the first planar section of said bottom plate member of the panel assembly. 